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Best Times to Visit Charleston

The best time to visit Charleston is from March to May or from September to November when temperatures are mild – but not stifling. Hotel rates, however, will be high, especially around Easter. Also, the city will be thick with crowds "ooh-ing" and "ahh-ing" at the blooming magnolia trees, the Southern fried food and their tour guide's ghost stories. Steer clear of high prices and tourist swarms by visiting in the late fall or early winter.

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March-May

Temperate weather accompanies blooming trees and flowers, making spring one of the best times to vacation in Charleston. The warm 60 to 80-degree temperatures usher in a colorful array of blooms throughout the city, which you can tour during the annual Festival of Houses and Gardens. But you won't be alone in a springtime visit: Prepare for high hotel rates and hordes of tourists competing for lodging space, especially around the Easter holidays. Avoid the large crowds and steep rates with a mid-week visit instead of a weekend stay.

Hot and humid weather and scorching sunshine make this season pretty inhospitable. But even still, families with kids out of school flood the city. If you decide to brave it – average high temperatures reach the upper 80s – pack sunscreen and bottled water. Since August is Charleston's rainiest month, plan to bring an umbrella, too.

Charleston's peak tourist season goes well into November. But the warm, Eden-like weather might make the trip worth your while: Temperatures linger in the high 70s before the wintertime cool down begins in December. Aside from the mild weather, Charleston's autumn is also marked by several popular foodie events, such as Charleston Restaurant Week and the Taste of Charleston.

You just might be able to find some deals if you travel during the offseason. And you don't even have to bundle up: Temperatures scarcely dip below 40, hovering in the 50 to 60s. Plus, the Holiday Festival of Lights continues through January. But if you're planning a Valentine's Day getaway, prepare for high prices and a minor tourist swell: Charleston is considered one of the best romantic destinations in the USA.

Popular Times to Visit Charleston

Average Tourist Volume

Tourism volume is estimated based on in-market destination search query interest from Google and on travel.usnews.com in 2015-2016.
Hotel prices are sourced from a sample of U.S. News Best Hotels rates through 2015-2016.